2026 LP Gas Rising Leaders

Success stories in the making. Young, hungry up-and-comers. Future leaders of the propane industry.

There are many ways to describe this year’s new group of LP Gas Rising Leaders. In fact, industry members who nominated several of this year’s Rising Leaders used the terminology above on their respective nomination forms. But that barely scratches the surface of what these individuals represent.

The Rising Leaders initiative, which launched in 2017, recognizes the propane industry’s best and brightest young leaders of today and shares their visions for the future. Following a nomination process, the LP Gas editorial team selects the honorees.

Here’s a look at this year’s Rising Leaders, with a Q&A with each individual to follow:

⦁ Gabe Jones of Jones Propane stepped into a leadership role after his dad, Jackie Jones Jr., died in 2021. Gabe Jones was still only a junior in high school, but he wanted to take over his dad’s company. He had to learn the new role quickly. Today, the 21-year-old Jones is following his passion for propane by continuing to lead the North Carolina company. Read his full profile here.

⦁ Josh McKay of Gas Equipment Co. didn’t know that propane would be part of his career path after graduating from Texas A&M. But when he entered the industry as a purchasing manager for the equipment distribution company, a couple of propane veterans took him under their wings and introduced him to the industry he loves today. Read his full profile here.

⦁ Johnny Thomas of Energy Partners Propane took career matters into his own hands after he moved to western Montana. Without a lot of options to continue his work as a welder, he earned his CDL and became a propane delivery driver. He quickly learned that leadership means having to wear many hats and doing whatever it takes to support employees and customers. Read his full profile here.

⦁ Brookes Townsend of Townsend Energy has been involved in his family’s home heating and services business from the start. He fondly remembers handling jobs for the company while in high school, and now, as part of fourth-generation leadership, he’s trying to follow in his dad’s footsteps to continue its growth and diversification path. Read his full profile here.

⦁ Jamison Walker of Blossman Gas got his start in the propane industry by working just outside of it. While with Virginia Clean Cities, he supported the deployment of autogas vehicle conversions and refueling infrastructure, immersing himself in the autogas world. That led to a job in sales. He’s learned a lot about the propane industry in a short amount of time and looks forward to continuing his educational journey. Read his full profile here.

Nominate a future Rising Leader

• Rising Leaders are chosen through a nomination process. To nominate a Rising Leader, visit lpgasmagazine.com/lp-gas-rising-leaders.

• Rising Leaders must be 39 years old or younger during the nomination period, which runs from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31. LP Gas honors the industry’s Rising Leaders annually in the magazine.

• Contact Brian Richesson, editor in chief, with questions about the Rising Leaders: brichesson@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3748.